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Algiers – a brief overview

Capital of the second largest country in Africa, Algiers (the ‘White City’) is a startling mix of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences. Although much of the city centre is now modern, deeper exploration, particularly around the labyrinthine Casbah, reveals delightful old neighbourhoods and elaborate Byzantine architecture.

During the civil war of the 1990s, much of Algiers was off limits to tourists; today, happily, it is a much safer and more relaxed city, although security risks remain a potential threat. Its leafier suburbs have been gentrified in recent years, with new hotels and restaurants opening up.

Top 10 sights in Algiers

The Casbah

Rue Abderrahmane Arbadji Algiers Algeria Show on map

This maze-like district of narrow, winding streets used to contain dozens of mosques, souks, and hammams. The World Heritage site is mostly residential now, but it’s a still fascinating place to explore; a guide is essential to help you find your way in – and out!

Maqam Echahid (Martyrs’ Monument)

Chemin Omar Kechkar Algiers Algeria Show on map

This huge concrete monument overlooking Algiers commemorates the millions who died in the War of Independence against France (1954-62). Designed in the shape of three curving palm leaves sheltering an eternal flame, it is the symbol of modern Algeria.

Mosque Sidi Abderrahmane

Rue Abderrahmane Arbadji Algiers Algeria Show on map

The standout attraction of the Ottoman-era complex of mosques and palaces in the Casbah is the Mosque Sidi Abderrhmane, patron saint of Algiers, completed in 1696. It is one of the country’s oldest mosques, with vibrantly patterned tiling.

Cathédrale du Sacré-Coeur

Rue Didouche Mourad Algiers Algeria Show on map

This strikingly modern, tent-shaped church is no longer used for services, but is open to visitors. The daily mass is held in the chapel in the basement of the cethedral. Look out for the ancient mosaic of Jesus Christ inside.

Bardo Museum

Housed in a sumptuous Ottoman mansion, this is one of Algeria’s best museums. Its diverse prehistoric and ethnographic collection includes jewellery, costumes, Tuareg tombs and ancient carvings.

Grande Poste

Rue Ben M’Hidi Algiers Algeria Tel: +213 21 726 072 Show on map

Opening times: Sat-Wed 0800-1900 Thu 0800-1600

This must be one of the most magnificent post offices in the world, with its sweeping steps and pillared entrance. Inside, the gleaming white building is even grander, with neo-Moorish décor and chandeliers.

Notre Dame d’Afrique

Saint-Eugene, Bologhine Algiers Algeria Show on map

This lovely, domed church is perched on a hilltop overlooking the bay. The interior of the 19th-century neo-Byzantine building is also very pretty; a cable car from the street up to the church is being restored.

Place des Martyrs

Place des Martyrs, rue Bab El Oued Algiers Algeria Show on map

Explore this historic area’s mysterious alleyways, markets, and mosques. The Mosque of the Fishermen has a distinctive clocktower; the adjacent Great Mosque is the oldest in Algiers; and opposite is the Mosque Ketchaoua, with its twin minarets, possibly the best of all.

Flight and accommodation

Country information

Country overview

For the intrepid traveller, a trip to Algeria is an adventure in waiting.

Its troubled reputation may put off anyone looking for the quiet life, but for those who take the time to explore, Algeria offers culture and adventure in spades.

Geography

Algeria is situated along the North African coast, bordered to the east by Tunisia and Libya, to the southeast by Niger, to the southwest by Mali, and to the west by Mauritania and Morocco. It is Africa’s second-largest country, with 1,200km (750 miles) of coastline. Along the coastal strip are the main towns, fertile land, beach resorts and 90% of the population. Further south lies the area of the Hauts Plateaux, mountains of up to 2,000m (6,600ft) covered in cedar, pine and cypress forests with broad arable plains dividing the plateaux.

The remaining 85% of the country is the Sahara Desert in its various forms, sustaining only 500,000 people, many of whom are nomadic tribes with goat and camel herds. The Sahara region contains two mountain ranges: the dramatic Hoggar massif, rising to almost 3,000m (9,800ft), and the Tassili N’Ajjer. Both are scenically stunning and offer some of the best desert landscapes in the world.

General knowledge

Key facts

Population: 38087812

Population Density (per sq km): 16

Capital: Algiers.

Language

The official languages are Arabic and Berber (Tamazight), but French is still used for most official and business transactions. Berber (Amazigh) is spoken in the northern mountainous regions of the Kabylias and the Aures and also in the south. In general, English is spoken only in major business or tourist centres.

Currency

Dinar (DZD) = 100 centimes. Notes are in denominations of DZD1,000, 500, 200, 100 and 50. Coins are in denominations of DZD100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 centimes. Note: Because of the very strict adherence of the authorities to these regulations, visitors are strongly advised not to be associated with the black market, which tends to concentrate on the Euro and portable electronics.

Electricity

220 volts AC, 50Hz. The European two-pin plug is standard.

General business opening hours

Generally Sat-Wed 0800-1200 and 1300-1600.

Public holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2018 – December 2019 period.

Note

Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given below are approximations.

During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha may last up to several days, depending on the region.

2018

New Year’s Day: 1 January 2018 Labour Day: 1 May 2018 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan): 15 and 16 June 2018 Revolutionary Readjustment: 19 June 2018 Independence Day: 5 July 2018 Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice): 22 to 25 August 2018 Islamic New Year: 12 September 2018 Ashura (Day of the Dead): 22 September 2018 Anniversary of the Revolution: 1 November 2018 Milad un Nabi (Birth of the Prophet Muhammad): 21 November 2018

2019

New Year’s Day: 1 January 2019 Labour Day: 1 May 2019 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan): 5 and 6 June 2019 Revolutionary Readjustment: 19 June 2019 Independence Day: 5 July 2019 Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice): 12 to 15 August 2019 Islamic New Year: 2 September 2019 Ashura (Day of the Dead): 11 September 2019 Anniversary of the Revolution: 1 November 2019 Milad un Nabi (Birth of the Prophet Muhammad): 10 November 2019

Flight and accommodation

Calendar of events

51. Foire Internationale d’Alger (Algiers International Fair)

International businesses promote their products and mingle with Algerian partners and clients at Algeria’s largest trade fair, which has been going strong since the 1960s. National pavilions host multiple exhibitors covering a range of sectors. Six days of intense networking ensues.

European Cultural Festival

May 2018

Venue: Various venues

Organised by the EU delegation to Algeria, this cultural showcase of European artists brings an eclectic selection of performances to curious Algerian audiences. Rap, folk and jazz music are all represented, along with film and theatrical productions from a variety of EU nations.

Eid ul-Fitr

14 – 16 June 2018

Venue: Throughout Algiers and Algeria

The end of Ramadan is an important occasion in Algeria, with Muslims celebrating the end of the fast with public worship, acts of charity and visits to friends and family. It’s also seen as a time to forgive and forget.

Independence Day

5 July 2018

Venue: Throughout Algiers and Algeria

Celebrating independence from France in 1962, Algerians come together for a vibrant day of festivities, with special events and fireworks happening all over the city. The president usually addresses the nation to mark the occasion, drawing attention to the country’s achievements.

Highlighting Algerian Diwan music and other musical genres inspired by or blended with Diwan, this music fest encompasses a week of phenomenal performances by local singers as well as artists from across Africa and as far afield as the USA.

Cartoon and comic strip enthusiasts can check out terrific exhibitions, listen to talks from professional cartoon artists, or sign up to themed workshops covering topics from manga to 3D animation. There’s a competitive element too, with prizes for pros and amateurs alike.

All information subject to change. Please check the dates on the relevant event organizer’s website.

Flight and accommodation

Hotels in Algiers

ListMap

The city centre has a reasonable selection of luxury hotels, as well as some mid-range places to stay. Quieter suburbs such as Hydra, El-Biar and Bouzareah are good alternatives, with new hotels opening up.

Most budget hotels rent rooms by the hour and are none too clean or safe.

Hilton Alger

Pins Maritimes El Mohammadia Algiers Algeria Show on map

Category: Expensive

This large modern hotel on the outskirts has all the amenities you’d expect, including a pool and four restaurants.

Sofitel Algiers Hamma Garden

172 Rue Hassiba Ben Bouali Algiers Algeria Show on map

Category: Expensive

Close to the seafront and with modern Moorish-style architecture, this is a highly rated luxury option.

7 days forecast

Climate & best time to visit Algeria

Summer temperatures are high throughout the country, particularly in the south where it is both very dry and very hot. During this time, road travel is difficult and air travel prone to delay because of sandstorms. Northern cities have high humidity, while those along the coast are cooled by sea breezes. In the winter, the oases of the far south are pleasant and attract many visitors.

The desert temperature drops dramatically at night. North of the Sahara, temperatures are very mild from September to May and vary little between day and night. South of the Sahara, temperatures are pleasant from October to April, but there are great variations between day and night. Coastal towns are prone to storms from the sea. Rainfall is relatively low throughout the country and in the far south it is virtually unknown.

Flight and accommodation

Phone calls & Internet

Telephone/Mobile Telephone

Dialing code: +213

Telephone

With the advent of mobile phones, the use of landlines (which were never highly used anyway) is in steep decline. Taxiphones (a sort of metered phone booth) are available to make calls from, but mobiles are used as the primary means of communication.

Mobile Telephone

Mobile phone usage across the country has increased greatly, with the main mobile networks giving good coverage across the country. To take advantage of local rates, buy a cheap foreign SIM card for use in your existing phone.

Internet

There are internet cafés in all larger towns and hotels in the major cities are more likely to have in-room Wi-Fi available.

Flight and accommodation

Shopping in Algiers

Key Areas

Algiers’ street markets are great for soaking up the atmosphere, including one that runs between the Grande Poste and rue Didouche Mourad, which specialises in souvenirs and handicrafts. This old street is the city’s commercial hub, and is lined with shops selling jewellery, carpets and other specialist items.

Markets

Souks are dotted all over the city, but perhaps the best and largest is near Mosque Ketchaoua in the Lower Casbah district. There’s also a wonderful local food market off the Jardin de Prague in Bab el Oued, though this area can be dangerous, so it’s better to go with a local guide.

Shopping Centres

Algeria is just opening up to the concept of malls, and the few you might find in Algiers are in the more upscale suburbs. A couple worth checking out are Centre Commercial Al Qods, in Cheraga, and the Bab Ezzouar, to the east of the city.

Flight and accommodation

Traveller etiquette

Social Conventions

Courtesy should be adopted with new acquaintances. The provision and acceptance of hospitality are as important a part of Algerian culture as elsewhere in the Arab world. In the main cities, the urban population lives at a frantic pace much akin to European urban dwellers, but in the south and in rural areas people are much more open and friendly. Algerian women are expected to dress modestly in rural areas but this is not necessary in Algiers.

Tourist visits should be avoided during Ramadan. Military installations and personnel should not be photographed. Police roadblocks are frequent – slow down and follow their instructions very carefully and respectfully should you be driving around the country. Always carry your passport or identification papers with you.

Flight and accommodation

Health

Food & Drink

Mains water is normally chlorinated and, whilst relatively safe, may cause mild abdominal upsets. Bottled water is available and is advised for the first few weeks of stay. Drinking water outside main cities and towns is likely to be contaminated and sterilisation is considered essential. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Powdered or tinned milk is advised. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat, but be careful when eating things like raw dishes like salads and fruits, where ingredients may have been rinsed in tap water. Likewise, avoid drinks with ice in them.

Other Risks

Vaccination against hepatitis B and tuberculosis is sometimes advised. Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical help without delay. There is little to no risk of malaria. Algeria’s climate is dry and hot, so wearing sunscreen and a hat to shield from midday sun, is advised, as is having drinking water with you.

Flight and accommodation

Visa & Immigration

IATA Travel Centre

The IATA Travel Centre delivers accurate passport, visa and health requirement information at a glance. It is a trusted, centralized source for the latest international travel requirements. The IATA Travel Centre is the most accurate source available because it is based on a comprehensive database used by virtually every airline, and information is gathered from official sources worldwide, such as immigration and police authorities.